Son Ye-jin's Bold Scenes in 'The Scandal' Spark Debate Over Her Career After Marriage

Son Ye-jin's upcoming Netflix historical drama The Scandal has sparked online debate over the actor's return to sensual, adult-orientated material following her marriage and motherhood.

The eight-episode Korean series, premiering on 18 September 2026, casts Son as the ambitious Lady Jo in a Joseon-era adaptation of Untold Scandal. Recent teaser and character stills have fuelled discussion about whether the series will feature intimate scenes, although no such scenes have been confirmed before its release.

However, instead of focusing on Son's strong comeback, a certain section of social media continues to dissect her 'bold' role choices, asking if it is appropriate after her marriage.

Drama Teaser Fuels Son Ye-jin Bold Scenes Debate

Directed by Jung Ji-woo, The Scandal is based on the 2003 Korean film Untold Scandal, which was itself inspired by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses.

Son plays Lady Jo, a talented noblewoman frustrated by the restrictions placed on women during the Joseon era. She begins a dangerous romantic wager involving Jo Won, played by Ji Chang-wook, and Hui-yeon, portrayed by Nana.

Promotional material has presented Son in an unusually provocative image, with her hair loose and wearing clothing resembling traditional undergarments. Some scenes also show her smoking a pipe, suggesting a character driven by desires and ambitions that remain hidden beneath her noble status.

Why Fans Expect Intimate Scenes in the Netflix Drama

The speculation largely comes from the source material.

The 2003 Untold Scandal was known for its sexual and intimate content, leading viewers to question whether Netflix's adaptation will take a similarly daring approach.

However, Son Ye-jin's daring scenes being discussed online have not been confirmed. The series has yet to premiere, meaning the teaser and stills currently provide the main basis for expectations.

The conversation has also focused on Son's previous willingness to take on challenging intimate material. In the 2009 film White Night, she performed nude and sex scenes without a body double, further shaping discussion around her latest role.

Son Ye-jin Claims Her Career Changed After Marriage

Son married actor Hyun Bin, her co-star from Crash Landing on You, in March 2022 and gave birth to their son later that year.

Since then, she has spoken about uncertainty surrounding the next stage of her career. At the 2025 Busan International Film Festival, she discussed concerns about whether audiences would continue seeking her out for major roles after marriage and motherhood.

She has described this period as 'chapter two' of her career and pointed to established actors including Youn Yuh-jung, Kim Hee-ae, Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Hye-soo as examples of women who have sustained long careers.

Her recent projects suggest a move towards more varied adult roles rather than simply returning to familiar romantic dramas.

'The Scandal' Marks a Major Son Ye-jin Comeback

The Scandal follows her appearance in Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice in 2025 and represents another significant step in her post-marriage career.

The historical series is also notable because it marks Son's first major historical drama lead in roughly 24 years.

That context has made her casting particularly significant for viewers following her career. Rather than confirming whether she will appear in explicit material, the early promotion has presented her as a mature and complicated character willing to challenge Joseon-era conventions.

Netflix Premiere Will Reveal the Full Story

The Scandal will premiere globally on Netflix on 18 September 2026, with eight episodes planned.

Until then, discussion about Son Ye-jin's intimate or bold scenes remains speculation based on the original film and promotional imagery. What is clearer is that her role as Lady Jo represents a deliberately daring choice as she enters the next chapter of her career.